Do Fitness Trackers Work? Garmin vs Whoop 4.0 vs Polar H10

A question that's been flying about for years: do fitness trackers work? I think when we question whether they work or not, we're referring to the accuracy, things like heart rate (HR) calories burned, heart rate variability (HRV) and steps

We can all agree that the accuracy of these devices has improved year in year out, so, today, I decided to do a little experiment comparing the Garmin (Fenix 6) the Whoop 4.0 and the Polar H10

It's only been a few days since using the Whoop, so I'm holding judgment, I am however a little disappointed. We know the accuracy of chest monitors are slightly more superior to wrist, as the polar H10 and Garmin are pretty much spot on, I feel the Whoop maybe a little off

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[darrenrod]

I have the whoop for about 2 years now and I love it !! Besides all the data I like the fact that you don’t have to worry about kettle bells and the likes smashing into the face of it as there is none obviously!! Less minding 🙌

[JordyBuckyBFC]

I decided on the Garmin Solar Instinct through other reviews but none showing comparison like this, good review! Best decision I've made. Got to remember to activate an activity or the HR seems to be less accurate though e.g. I could do a workout and my average HR would be 135bpm without selecting an activity, but when I select HIIT/Cardio/Weight Training it's almost like the HR monitoring is more responsive and I can get up around the 160/170bpm mark. I'm not sure if this is an actual thing or not with the Garmin range, just something I've realized. Possibly something to compare in the future

[adamrav]

I find the whoop is top tier for judging your recovery/strain etc once it’s fully calibrated. The data it provides after going on a night out and drinking is eye opening!

[sjcs]

I'll be honest Whoop isn't the best for HR tracking but the recovery it reigns supreme. It gets interesting when you see trends like diet and food prior to bed effects your sleep and recovery stick with it.

[BRIGHTONKETTLEBELLS]

Totally agree mate! The real difference in calories is after long (3hours plus) activities! My Whoop is often 1000 calories below what my Polar H10 tells me for a three hour road bike workout.
Having contacted Whoop they said the wrist wearable cannot compete with a chest strap, and that light might be getting in to the sensor and to adjust the wrist position higher.
This didn’t work, which is disappointing!
I do love the Whoop for recovery and HRV tracking, but feel it sucks for long times events.
Why don’t they make a chest strap to clip the Whoop on to, as they do their clothing??

[nuttygeezer]

Have a look at the paracord watch straps for garmin watches, some are pretty decent and make the watch abit unique

[hamishsandison]

Man like TMC can read minds! Was looking up fitness trackers today!

[misterandyt]

Interested by this as I just got a Whoop, cause I was looking for something to wear all day as a calorie tracker to make sure I’m in a calorie deficit. I have a Suunto Spartan watch with a chest strap I use for when working out but don’t wear that all the time. I wore them both when working out today and the whoop said I burned 350ish calories and my watch said more like 460ish calories. That’s a big difference when trying to navigate and plan nutrition. Like you are, I’m gonna give the whoop a bit longer to figure it out as it’s new - but first impressions aren’t great…

[SteezyG]

Garmin is hands down the GOAT. I use mine for offline music too. I loathe having my phone on me for cardio so it's just the boss.

[kiely]

I’ve been a Garmin man for years, run countless 5k’s 10k’s and half marathons and never had a problem with them, currently using the Garmin 245 music as I’m predominantly a runner with some resistance training thrown in, really tempted to upgrade to the Fenix 6 pro but couldn’t justify it at the minute, how accurate the tracking is for sleep cycles based on heart rate variability and movement is abit hit and miss, sometimes the watch logs me as asleep when I’m not 😂

[cbdetailing]

You can get a chest HR monitor from Garmin and it pairs with your Fenix. Gives you a bit more accuracy along with allowing you to put watch in your pocket, if your wearing wrist straps etc when strength training.

[CliffR]

I find my Whoop also lower for average HR than my Garmin Forerunner 965, Apple Watch series 9, Polar Pacer Pro, Pixel Watch 2 and Garmin HRM-Pro Plus (those all almost dead on agree for average and max, while Whoop generally about 12 bpm lower for average and same for max). Will keep for the full 1yr sub I bought, but not sure I trust it for anything, if HR isn't accurate and Garmin offers recovery information. Considering trying the Athlytic app, far less cost per year for a similar AI judgement of my stats and recovery

[baggrs]

Hi Tom, as a boxer chest straps are more productive than a wrist wearable for myself. I had a H10 but found it very temperamental in terms of connecting to my phone and regularly would not. Have you had any similar issues with the Polar H10? Is there and alternative you’d recommend for boxing?

[NAKMUAYACADEMY]

Very very curious which one is all round best to track heart rate during training and as a recovery
Whoop
Polar
Morpheus?
Apreciate your opinion

[alixwoolley]

I’ve been tracking HR & HRV for the last 3 years with polar H10, I also use elite HRV, but should we always go off what an app says? When it says your sympathetic nervous system is abnormally elevated consider active recovery etc, when every time it says that I feel fine haha, what’s your thoughts?

[sixmonthjamie]

the garmin hr strap is a good addition to the watch, i think its more accurate

[qwerasdfhjkio]

with the whoop, you would have been a lot better of using the bicep band (place the whoop on the inner side of the bicep, not the outside)

I have found (and also many, many other users on reddit) a lot more accuracy using the whoop like this, especially when working out when the heart rate is higher.

[darrenkelly]

I use my garmin for running only and sometimes steps. The calories i usually half as they aren't that accurate or i dont really take much interest in the calories. Heat rate again isnt accurate either.

[kyleperry]

I use a fitbit to track my workouts but really looking into a garmin

[adityagauba]

mate, thats a beautiful day date with the green dial